2023 NYN TechCon

As individuals and as organizations, we are constantly adapting to the evolving tech landscape. With limited time and resources, nonprofits need to find affordable, efficient & sustainable ways to move their mission forward. NYN Media’s 2023 Nonprofit TechCon brought together leaders from across New York to explore innovative ways to address the unique challenges facing nonprofits. We close out the year by learning the best practices for success, the latest industry trends, and essential tools to advance your organization. It was a learning experience & networking opportunity you did not want to miss!

8:00 AM	Networking Breakfast & Registration
9:00 AM	Welcome and Opening Remarks by Emcee Phenix Kim, Reporter, NYN Media
9:10 AM	Streamlining Processes With Technology With limited budgets and funding all nonprofits are in need of automated systems, secure financial practices, smart real estate strategies and various grant tracking capabilities. This session will bring together top-level executives from nonprofits across New York to discuss how to streamline technological processes, how to create automated campaigns for renewal, appeal, sustainer, and acquisition campaigns, and how to make smart choices that effect the day to day and year to year of nonprofit institutions. Kimberly Watson, President & CEO, Graham Windham (Moderator) Sholom Ellenberg, Chief Information Officer, JASA Deshard Stevens, Senior Director of Information Technology, Legal Defense Fund Kim Snyder, VP of Data Strategy, Roundtable Technology Sonya Reynolds, Director, Movement Technology, The Movement Cooperative
9:55 AM	Getting the Most out of Your Data & Analysis Nonprofit organizations all have data at the center of their mission and at the basis of many assessments. Decisions supported by data can prevent costly mistakes. Not only does having enhanced data systems and analytics available save time and money, but it often creates positive donor experiences by working with nonprofit leaders to customize outreach methods based on donor needs. Data analysis platforms can also be expensive and complex but with the right team and methods, your nonprofit can avoid these problems altogether. Noel Hidalgo, Executive Director, BetaNYC (Moderator) Anita Yadavalli, Senior Economist and Director, Bureau of Tax and Economic Analysis, Office of the New York State Comptroller Rebecca Linn-Walton, Chief Strategy Officer, SUS Patrick Yurgosky, President, Yurgosky
10:40 AM	Refreshment Break
10:55 AM	Finding and Telling Your Nonprofit's Most Impactful Stories Storytelling has the power to transform your entire nonprofit from the inside out, but it can be a daunting task. Kristin will teach you the revolutionary, trauma-informed five-step StoryFind process that will simplify storytelling and propel your mission forward. Kristin Sukraw, Executive Producer, StoryFind Films and author of StoryFind: The Handbook for Finding and Telling Your Nonprofit's Most Impactful Stories
11:25 AM	IT Staffing: In-House or Outsourced? For many nonprofits, deciding when to outsource IT support can be a difficult decision. When determining whether to stay in-house or outsourcing some of the major factors to consider include cost, a need to supplement internal capabilities, having to rely on someone from the outside on privacy issues and more. Whatever a nonprofit chooses the importance of a lead in IT support is more crucial than ever. This panel will address the pros and cons of both. Kiran Bhujle, Managing Director, Cyber Risk Advisory Services, SVAM International Inc. (Moderator) Jon Haseltine, Chief Compliance and Operating Officer, The Door Lauren Feldman Hay, Chief Information Officer, Fountain House John Iacono, Partner and Chief Managing Engineer, Fairdinkum Consulting
12:10 PM	Luncheon
1:10 PM	Creating a Plan for Your Organization’s Success through Innovation, Technology and Strategy Nonprofits often operate on tight budgets, so the cost of up-to-date technology can seem unattainable. But effectiveuse of technology can generate innovation, improvements in efficacy, and better delivery on mission, more than justifying the cost and the challenges of organizational change. Done effectively, technology adoption isn’t just “gadget chasing” but instead uses carefully selected digital tools that encourage stakeholders to deliver on the organization’s mission. It’s this overall culture and strategy of innovation that welcomes digital, nondigital, or hybrid solutions. Christopher Mainor, Director of IT, Urban Pathways (Moderator) Ebony Young, Deputy Borough President, Queens Archana Jayaram, President & CEO, The Osborne Association Mark Dungan, VP of Employee Benefits, USI Insurance Services Cheryl López, Director of Operations, City Bar Justice Center Michael Chin, Chief Program Success Officer, The City Tutors Seth Pinsky, CEO, 92NY
1:55 PM	Nonprofits Need for Automation in Operations Integrating automation into nonprofit operations can be transformative, creating efficiency, donor engagement, and impact measurement. Nonprofits need tailored solutions that cater to their unique needs, which allows them to focus on their core mission while technology handles the tedious tasks. By embracing automation, nonprofits can intensify their effectiveness and create a lasting difference in the communities they serve. Amy West, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, AHRC New York City (Moderator) Jeffrey Yoskowitz, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Food Program, Met Council Corinna Creedon, Managing Director, FORVIS Kevin Quist, Managing Director, BTQ Financial Daria Seriakov, Director of Technology, Common Impact Tiernan Walsh, Senior Director, Business Solutions, Per Scholas
2:40 PM	Featured Presentation by Kiran Bhujle, Managing Director, Cyber Risk Advisory Services, SVAM International Inc: Cybersecurity, RPA, and the Future of Digital Resilience With shrinking budgets and limited resources, the nonprofit industry faces increasing pressure to optimize its operations and maximize the impact of every dollar spent. Participants will learn about strategies to protect sensitive data, maintain operational continuity, and uphold the trust of donors and beneficiaries in an increasingly digital world. In addition, attendees will understand RPA's potential to streamline workflows, cut administrative costs, and boost productivity within the nonprofit industry.
3:00 PM	Refreshment Break
3:15 PM	Opportunities for Collaboration Leading to Innovation Many organizations have recently considered creative approaches to their work, often through collaboration with other groups. By working together, government, nonprofits and the private sector can share resources, build capacity for organizations, and increase overall support for each other. Government and elected officials have been providing necessary guidance on what works well and what does not when it comes to nonprofit advocacy and funding requests. And what’s more, many of the most successful collaborations have been between groups working on very different missions, or between nonprofits and groups outside the nonprofit field. Another option is for internal groups to collaborate and consolidate responsibilities to make things run smoothly. Nikia Hughes-Cousins, Vice President of Operations, Community Housing Innovations (Moderator) Mary O'Shaughnessy, Director, Information Technology Services, DOROT, Inc. Emily Saltzman, Deputy Director of Operations, Office of the Westchester County Executive
4:00 PM	Embracing Social Media, TikTok, YouTube and More Nonprofit budgets and resources are limited, so they have to be selective about how they spend their time and energy. Getting social media for nonprofits right can be a game changer—but it takes some strategy! With a little education and the right tools, any nonprofit social media account can reach their maximum potential. If they are considering introducing TikTok into a social media strategy, it’s crucial to understand the unique ways the app functions and the best way to leverage it for each organization’s mission. Adam Doyno, Executive Director, CUNY SPH Foundation and Director of Development, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (Moderator) Steven Mecca, Director of Production , Flushing Town Hall Paolo Alberghini-Pastor, Senior Director of Development, Education Through Music Eman Rimawi-Doster, Co-Founder, Diversity Includes Disability
5:00 PM	Sessions Conclude

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